Anchorages Victories—But Hudson Still Needs Protection

Scenic Hudson: Many of you were among the 10,000 citizen advocates who told the U.S. Coast Guard to drop its proposal to create 10 new anchorage sites for 43 huge barges carrying crude oil and other poisonous chemicals. This voice of the people has helped create some important victories—but we still have work to do to protect our river, wildlife, natural resources, community assets and local economies.

Progress that demands follow-up actions

The Coast Guard in June temporarily suspended its process to establish the anchorages so it can study measures to make the Hudson safe for industrial barge transportation and whether there is a need for new anchorages. We’ll stand up for your interests during this review and will alert you if there’s action you can take to help the cause.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state legislators—led by Sen. Sue Serino and Assemblymember Didi Barrett—recently passed a law that calls on the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to create regulations that would safeguard the Hudson River and communities from industrial barges carrying petroleum products. Scenic Hudson will be urging the DEC to create strong measures that would prevent new anchorages in locations that could threaten the beauty and outdoor treasures that make the Hudson Valley a great place to live, work and play. Read more.